Improvement in photographic backgrounds



L. G. B|GELOW,

Improvement in Photographic Back-Grounds.

N 0.115,812.y Patented June13,1871.

PATENT OFFICE.

LYMAN G. BIGELOW, 0F GRAIWD RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN PHOTOGRAPHIC BACKGROUNDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 115,812, dated June 13, 1871.

I, LYMAN G. BIGELOW, of Grand Rapids, Kent county, Michigan, have invented a Photographic Background, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to the forni or background placed back ofthe sitter to give relier to the ligure When taking a photographic portrait; and consists of acircular hoop or fraine with suitable stays or spokes, over which is strained cloth, as a foundation to receive apaper upon Which the design has been printed.

In the center of the frame is a hub or block, to which the stays or spokes converge, which serve to stiften the rim, and also to receive a pin or shaft at right angles to the plane ofthe surface of the background, which shaft is of a size to iit in the place of' the forked shaft of the head-rest used by photographers generally When making sittings.

When placed thus, the background may be revolved so as to bring the dark side against or opposite the light or unshaded side of the sitters face, thus giving strong' and bold relief to the ligure of the photograph, which could not be obtained if, as is usually the case,

the background were the saine shade throughout its whole surface.

Suppose the sitter for a photographic portrait to have gray or light-colored hair; to get the best relier', turn the shade of the background so that the hair shall be relieved against it; and in the same manner proceed to relieve any portion of the figure which the subject seems t-o require.

This background is intended specially for bust-portraits, and the design consists usually ot' gradations of light and shade.

Figure 1 gives a view ofthe face or front of the background; Fig. 2, a perspective View of the back side, showing the framing over which the cloth or paper is stretched.

I claim as iny invention- A revolving background for photographic purposes, when its surface is graded radially troni the center in regard to light and shade, substantially as and for the purposes described.

LYMAN G. BIGELOV.

Witnesses:

EDWARD TAGGART, CHAs. O. SrMoNDs. 

